Page 129 of A Trial By Blood

“No,” Relic said.

Vesa turned back to me and smiled. “We should get going. We have to walk a bit farther yet.” He glanced at Relic. “Flying would be faster, though.”

“I’m still learning,” I said.

“Right, of course.”

“So what can I expect when we get to the colony? Do they know I’m coming?” I asked.

“I’ve told them about you,” Vesa said. “They’re excited to meet you.”

Relic stopped suddenly, his head tilting back. He growled. “Here, Rose. Now.”

I spun, took one step toward him—

There was a thud, and Vesa hit the ground, unconscious.

Relic went down next, something flying through the air out of nowhere and cracking him in the back of his skull. He went down hard on the forest floor. Arms banded around my waist and I was yanked off the ground.

I grabbed at the thick, tattooed arms holding me in a ruthless grip, tearing at them, trying to get free. Relic tried and failed to get up, while Vesa lay motionless on the ground beside him.

“Let me go!” I screamed, fighting harder.

One of the arms left my waist and hot fingers pressed to the side of my throat. There was pressure, and darkness crept in at the corners of my eyes.

Then everything went dark.

* * *

Ronan

Relic’s words were on repeat in my head as I ran through the forest. The trees were nothing but a green haze as I pumped my arms, my breath exploding from my lungs.

My Rose was missing.

Someone took her.

I would lay waste to this entire forest if she was harmed in any way. Whoever did this? Their suffering would know no end.

Relic howled in the distance, letting me know where he was, and I picked up on the hound’s scent.

A few minutes later, I spotted him. He stood in the middle of a small clearing, pacing, head tilted back, scenting the air. Blood dampened a patch of his hair and smeared his shirt, and fury burned in his eyes. I growled and ran straight for him. He turned, and I collided with him, taking him to the ground.

I snarled in his face. “I’m going to fucking kill you.”

Relic’s long fangs flashed, but he didn’t try to fight me. He shoved me back. “Kill me after we find your female.”

I dragged in a breath, then another, then shoved away and paced the clearing. I smelled blood, one I’d scented before. Vesa. “What the fuck happened?”

“Vesa called and Roe felt the call to go to the colony. She knew she had to go for her task and didn’t think you’d be okay with that.”

“No. I fucking would not,” I snarled.

Relic planted his hands on his hips. “I was knocked out. I didn’t see who took her, and their scent is all fucked up. I don’t know what they were, but they definitely have wings. Because I can’t get her scent, and the only way for that to happen, is if she’s in the air.”

“Where’s Vesa?”

“There were more on the ground. They moved in after Rose was snatched and took him before I could get to my feet. I couldn’t follow ’cause I lost their scent as well.” He bared his teeth again and scented the air once more. “They have to stop at some point. They’ll land and I’ll have them.”